Isabella McRae
Isabella McRae is a senior reporter at The Big Issue. She reports on a wide range of issues across social affairs and culture. Isabella was awarded Best News Story at the Anti-Slavery Day Awards in 2025. She was also a winner of the PPA Next Gen Awards in 2023, formerly known as the 30 under 30, and was shortlisted for journalist of the year in the Scope Disability Awards 2024. Get in touch with Isabella through isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com
How many children would be lifted out of poverty if the two-child limit was scrapped where you live?
map of united kingdom and ireland
Child poverty

How many children would be lifted out of poverty if the two-child limit was scrapped where you live?

Haunted houses are a classic horror trope – but are they scarier than damp, mould and landlords?
Horror homes

Haunted houses are a classic horror trope – but are they scarier than damp, mould and landlords?

I battled leukaemia and then lost my fiancée to cancer. Here's how I found hope in the grief
Brett, Hannah and their daughter Summer.
Grief

I battled leukaemia and then lost my fiancée to cancer. Here's how I found hope in the grief

Teen scholar trapped in Gaza after being blocked by Home Office from joining her mum in UK
dania and hayat
Gaza

Teen scholar trapped in Gaza after being blocked by Home Office from joining her mum in UK

How war-wounded patients are finding hope in a hospital in Jordan: 'People can rebuild their lives'
shams
War

How war-wounded patients are finding hope in a hospital in Jordan: 'People can rebuild their lives'

33 places where kids can eat for free or £1 over the October half term
kids eat free/ easter holidays
Kids eat free

33 places where kids can eat for free or £1 over the October half term

'I'd rather a haunted house than a dodgy landlord': What's it really like to live with ghosts?
Inside the living room of 30 East Drive, where a poltergeist is believed to live. Image: 30 East Drive
Halloween

'I'd rather a haunted house than a dodgy landlord': What's it really like to live with ghosts?

Universal credit should increase by 6.2% in 2026. Here's what you need to know
rachel reeves
Universal credit

Universal credit should increase by 6.2% in 2026. Here's what you need to know

DWP to save billions by tackling fraud and error in the benefits system. But at what cost?
Prime minister Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves laughing
Benefit fraud

DWP to save billions by tackling fraud and error in the benefits system. But at what cost?

What is the two-child benefit limit and how does it impact families?
three children/ two-child benefit cap
Benefits

What is the two-child benefit limit and how does it impact families?

Meet the people helping homeless women access abortions: 'It's about giving them the choice'
a woman being supported by a nurse
Abortion

Meet the people helping homeless women access abortions: 'It's about giving them the choice'

People with learning disabilities are dying 20 years early, report finds: 'They deserve better'
Top left: Chloe Every. Bottom left and right: Charlie Lander and family
Learning disabilities

People with learning disabilities are dying 20 years early, report finds: 'They deserve better'